A TENNIS coach jailed for a lesbian affair with a 13-year-old student is to appeal against her conviction.

Former professional coach Claire Lyte, 29, was today beginning a two years and nine months prison sentence.

But immediately after she was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday her lawyers announced she would be lodging an appeal.

The one-time young coach of the year was found guilty of four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

During a three-week trial last month the court heard how the girl’s mother had found them in bed.

The teenager, from Merseyside, was said to be infatuated with her tutor but Judge Nigel Gilmour QC told Lyte she had manipulated that affection.

He said: “As her tennis coach you were in a position of trust. Her family expected you to look after her when she was in your care.

“But you corrupted that girl and advanced her experience of sexual matters by some years.

“You welcomed her attention, encouraged it and manipulated what had become her affection for you.

“You did this for your own selfish sexual ends.”

During her evidence, Lyte of Solihull, West Midlands, who reached 101 in the world rankings and once played at Wimbledon, admitted she had “let her heart rule her head” and had her own affections for the girl.

She had been warned by the Lawn Tennis Association in August 2005 that she was “too close” to her student.

Lyte’s tennis career now lies in tatters and she will never again be able to teach the game after being banned indefinitely from working with youngsters.

Outside court, Lyte’s solicitor, Margaret Coall, said: “Miss Lyte is devastated with the guilty verdicts. She has maintained her innocence throughout these proceedings. I can confirm we are lodging an appeal against the conviction.”